Sano Workshops at EIT Health I-Days
Children Explore the World of Magnetic Resonance Imaging
During this year’s EIT Health I-Days Hackathon in Krakow, organized by the LifeScience Krakow EIT Health Hub, educational workshops were conducted by Gabriela Ostrowska and Katarzyna Baliga‑Nicholson from the Sano Centre for Computational Medicine. The sessions were designed to familiarize children with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and build positive associations with medical technologies.
Learning through Play and Emotions
The workshops were based on psychological principles of learning and the VARK model, which distinguishes four learning styles: visual, auditory, reading/writing, and kinesthetic. This approach allowed participants to engage with the topic of MRI in ways tailored to their individual preferences. By incorporating artistic, movement-based, and storytelling elements, children learned through action, observation, and emotional experiences.
As part of the activities, participants completed an analytical task: reading interviews with scientists– a biologist, a radiologist, and a neurologist. Based on these texts, they then explained to their peers how MRI works in each field of science. Other exercises included arranging the MRI procedure steps in the correct sequence after watching a short video and designing their own “friendly MRI scanners” by decorating paper tubes and explaining their visual ideas.
MRI Without Fear
During the workshops, children also listened to the sounds produced by an MRI machine and shared what they associated them with – often comparing them to a spaceship or a robot, which made the learning experience more playful. To measure and discuss emotional responses, the facilitators used the Likert scale before and after the session, creating an opportunity to reflect on fear, curiosity, and comfort related to the experience.
Innovations for Healthy Cities
The workshops took place as part of EIT Health I-Days, a hackathon dedicated to the theme Healthy Cities: Innovations and Smart Technologies for Citizens’ Health and Quality of Life. The event brought together students, young researchers, and health innovation enthusiasts who collaborated on designing modern solutions for improving urban life. The Sano Centre for Computational Medicine was a partner of the event, supporting its educational and social objectives.
Read more information about I-Days in Krakow is available.
